Private School News

Stories come to life at Hodder House

Hodder House (Stonyhurst’s pre-prep department) celebrated World Book Week by coming to school dresses as their favourite storybook characters. Darth Vader rubbed shoulders with Mog the Cat, Sleeping Beauty and the Little Mermaid, and a variety of Knights in shining armour encountered King Henry V! Everyone looked wonderful as stories leapt out of their pages for a day, which inspired the creation of many new tales.

Photo: Year 2 in their costumes

DREAM OF AN IDEA FOR UN CHARITY

There wasn’t a hint of a yawn or snoozing in class when pupils at a top Fylde Coast independent school decided to dress in pyjamas for a day to raise valuable funds for world children’s charity, UNICEF.

The event, at Fleetwood’s Rossall School proved to be a dream of an idea for the charity, with pupils and teachers generating a remarkable, £400 through their efforts – money that will help children recover from the disastrous earthquake in Haiti and also go towards improving the lives of young children in the African country of Mozambique.

The school’s nursery, infant and junior pupils dreamt up their charity challenge as part of the UNICEF, ‘Day for Change’ campaign. They were asked by teachers to create an event to focus attention on the need for change and they decided on a switch from the norm, so for one day all on campus were obliged to participate in a “wear your pyjamas to school day.” As part of the fund raising activity, children and teachers donated money and brought into school any unused foreign coins to add to the coffers. And, in keeping with the ‘change’ theme, the school sold hot chocolate and marshmallows and cookies on campus at break times.

Said Rossall head of juniors, Simon James: “It was a great idea from the children to vote for the pyjama day. At first we thought there would be a few pupils that might try to claim a quick snooze in class, but despite the relaxed atmosphere the campus was as lively as ever. If anything, they were even more alert than usual because of the excitement of fund raising, so it proved immensely successful, to the point where we may repeat the event at a later date.”

Half of the monies raised by Rossall and other schools in the UK will be used to support children’s welfare and education projects in Mozambique, where 400 children under the age of five die every day, mostly from preventable illnesses, and where the basics that most children take for granted, namely drinking water and access to education, are severely restricted. The remainder will go to assist the humanitarian work undertaken by UNICEF in the wake of the earthquake in Haiti.

Photo: Pyjama game…Rossall School deputy head of juniors, Lawrence Condon helps the collection along with support from pupils – (back row l to r) Naomi Hall, Imogen Hockings and Louise Rogerson, (centre) Harrison Monteiro and (front) Daniel Andrews.

Junior Barbarians trials

Two boys from Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall have been selected to play for the Independent Association of Prep Schools Barbarians. Favour Maduka will play for the Under 13 side and Chidiebere Nechi for the Under 11′s. The IAPS have been holding trials all over the country to select a squad of players to play in Ireland soon. Hundreds of boys have gone through the selection process and have anxiously awaited the decision of the selectors, who attended a final session at Rugby School a few days ago. Both boys received “Man of the Match” awards in their final trial games. Bravo!

Photo: Favour (aged 13, left) and Chidiebere (11, right).

Stonyhurst launches fund for education in Zimbabwe

Stonyhurst College in Lancashire launched the Stonyhurst Scholarship Fund in February, with a charity fashion show. The new fund will enable children in Zimbabwe to receive an education. “It only costs 40 pounds per year to go to school in Zimbabwe, yet this is far beyond the reach of many people there,” said Celia Lupton, a sixth former at the Lancashire school, and one of the fashion show’s organisers. “We wanted to raise as much money as possible to help children get an education and find a way out of poverty.” The fashion show raised over 3,000 pounds, which will educate 5 children for 4 years each.

A group of students and staff from Stonyhurst have just returned from visiting their Jesuit sister school, St Peter’s, Kubatana. Mr Paul Warrilow, Head of Religious Studies, and Sophie le Breton, aged 18, told the audience of over 300 people why the scholarship fund is so worthwhile. “I was struck by how eager the children are to learn,” said Sophie. “Pupils use every available minute to read and work, even when waiting for a teacher to arrive. They live in absolute poverty, with no electricity or running water, yet their uniforms are pristine because they are proud to be going to school.” Natalie Crouch, aged 18, and the fashion show’s compere, said, “It’s a huge culture shock coming home. We’ve made friends with people our own age there and it’s hard to think of the poverty and difficulties they live with. Many have lost parents to AIDS or cholera and are caring for their families, often getting up at 4am to do school work.” While they were in Zimbabwe, they saw President Mugabwe’s motorcade, and had guns trained on them by his guards. “That was the only time we ever felt ourselves to be in any danger,” said Sophie.

The show began with a stunning creation, made out of sculptured black silk, on loan from the London Fashion Week, followed by childrenswear, evening dresses, casual clothing for men and bridal gowns, all ably modelled by Stonyhurst pupils themselves. “There are many people to thank” said Anna Thomas (18), another of the show’s organisers, “but above all, the pupils themselves were brilliant – they really worked hard as a team and supported everyone’s efforts.”

If you would like to make a donation to the Stonyhurst Zimbabwe scholarship fund, please contact the College on 01254 826345

Stonyhurst’s link with Zimbabwe’s children

A group of pupils and staff from Stonyhurst College, Lancashire leave for Zimbabwe this week, to visit their Jesuit sister school, St Peter’s, Kubatana. Packed in their suitcases will be gifts of various things which are in short supply in Zimbabwe, such as first-aid materials, art equipment, and footballs. “We are really looking forward to seeing everyone at St Peter’s, especially as we couldn’t go last year because of the risk of cholera and other factors,” said Paul Warrilow, Head of Religious Education at the College, who has been visiting Zimbabwe for a number of years. Two sixth-formers, Sophie Le Breton and Natalie Crouch, both from Hurst Green, will be working with some of St Peter’s 1,200 pupils, who are aged between 3 and 18.

Stonyhurst College has a long-standing partnership with St Peter’s, called ‘Chirwirangwe’ or ‘Let us unite.’ Each year-group has linked up with a child in Zimbabwe, and is raising money to pay for that child’s education, as well as exchanging letters and photographs to show solidarity and friendship.

Photograph shows, from left to right: Sophie Le Breton, Mrs Ruth Crossley, Natalie Crouch and Mr Paul Warrilow, with some of the gifts they will be taking to Zimbabwe.

Baroness Cox, a “voice for the voiceless”

The Baroness Cox of Queensbury visited Stonyhurst College this week, and talked about her work with the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust, of which she is the Chief Executive. Over the years, Baroness Cox has travelled, often illegally and in danger, to Armenia, Burma, northern Nigeria, Sudan and North Korea, to offer practical help (she is a trained nurse), moral support and prayer to some of the estimated 250 million people who are persecuted for their faith. HART seeks to help persecuted, suffering people in parts of the world unreached by other agencies such as the UN or the Red Cross.

Many are taken into slavery. “In the 21st century, we should not have an estimated 27 million victims of various forms of slavery,” she said, her aim being to raise awareness of their plight and to lobby government to do all it can to effect change.

Baroness Cox used the words of St Francis of Assisi to illustrate her belief in the importance of showing solidarity with the persecuted by actually being among them: “Pity weeps and turns away. Compassion weeps and holds out a hand.” A key aim of HART is to ask people directly what they need most, so that the aid they supply is as effective as it can be. It may be food, medicines, livestock, bibles; but whatever the practical need, the knowledge to the persecuted that someone in the world beyond knows and cares about them is of inestimable value, she said.

It was both humbling and inspiring to learn of some of the many individuals Baroness Cox has met, in hidden corners of the world rarely reported on: people whose faith withstands huge pain and loss, who travel vast distances with little or nothing just to stay alive, and who continue to praise God with conviction and joy. “We are very grateful to Baroness Cox for her illuminating and moving talk, and her generous engagement with our pupils,” said Andrew Johnson, Headmaster of Stonyhurst. “She even invited them to visit the House of Lords, so that they can continue discussing how they can help.”

Photo: Baroness Cox with Simon, Damien and John, pupils at Stonyhurst College.

Wartime experience for Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall

Year 5 pupils from Stonyhurst’s prep school St Mary’s Hall went on a school trip with a difference this week. Dressed as evacuees from the Second World War, complete with gas mask boxes, they visited Stockport Air Raid Shelter. The staff at the shelter were also ‘in role’ and the air raid warden told the children that there had been a near-miss the previous night, and that the bomb had left a crater outside. “The children’s eyes were like saucers,” said Mrs Joy Twigg, their teacher. “The ‘crater’ had actually been made by the gas board digging up the road but it made the experience very vivid!” To add to the excitement, one of their teachers, Mr Ogarrio, was immediately recognised as a ‘spy’ and arrested!

The children were given a full tour and sang war-time choruses such as “Run rabbit, run ” as they made their way around the labyrinth of tunnels. At the height of the air raids, there was room for 7000 people, often bussed in from Manchester.

“The children learnt a lot of new facts about the second World War and had a great time ‘living’ their history” said Mrs Twigg, who was also in costume.

Photo:the ‘evacuees’ in the air raid shelter.

Brian Ashton puts Stonyhurst through its paces!

Brian Ashton, MBE, the former Head Coach of the England national rugby team, visited Stonyhurst College last week. He gave a talk to pupils at Stonyhurst’s prep school, St Mary’s Hall, in which he described the atmosphere among the England players as they prepared to play World Cup matches, and talked about some of the many top players he has coached. After taking lots of questions from his spell-bound audience, he then coached the rugby teams. “It was an awesome experience, being coached by Mr Ashton,” said Gabriel Strain (13), “and his talk was amazing.”
Brian Ashton taught rugby and history at Stonyhurst for 8 years in the 80’s, where his pupils included Kyran Bracken and Will Greenwood who both played for England.

The English Youth Ballet

Four ballet pupils from Stonyhurst College will dance in a production of ‘Giselle’ with the English Youth Ballet in March. Paul and Olivia (who attend St Mary’s Hall, Stonyhurst’s prep school, St Mary’s Hall) and Alice and Joey from the College auditioned for 2 hours, along with 290 other children, in an intensive rehearsal run by professional dancers. They demonstrated excellent technique and the ability to learn effectively, which is essential for the rehearsals now underway for the public performance. “They’ve done exceptionally well and I’m really proud of them,” said their teacher Mrs Natasha Jones.

‘Giselle’ will be performed at The Charter Theatre, Preston.

Photograph shows
Joey, in the centre, and Alice and Paul on the right. Also pictured on the left are Helen and Celina (front).

Bear-faced cheek!

240 teddybears have arrived at Stonyhurst College, thanks to ‘Harrod’s’ and a student’s bright idea. John Golden, a sixth-former at the Lancashire school, is raising money for Stonyhurst’s Children’s Holiday charity, which gives disabled and underprivileged children a holiday each summer.
“I emailed lots of major stores to ask of they could make a donation,” said John, a boarder at Stonyhurst, from Glasgow. “‘Harrod’s’ was the only one to reply and offered 20 of their teddybears. When I asked if they could spare any more they increased this to 240! Luckily, they’re selling very quickly.”
Every year, sixth-formers and staff at Stonyhurst College run a holiday week for local children with special needs, giving them a great time and their parents much needed respite. Money for the holiday is raised throughout the year by the pupils, to cover the cost of food and trips to Chester Zoo and the Lake District. Each child is assigned to a sixth-former, who cares for them throughout the holiday, at Stonyhurst’s prep school. “I’ve heard the week is very demanding but rewarding and I’m looking forward to it,” said John, who is also planning a fund-raising ball.

Our photograph shows 3 of Stonyhurst’s fund-raisers: Michael McCullough, (from Garstang), John Golden (centre, from Glasgow) and Henry Taylor (from Hampshire).

OXBRIDGE SUCCESS AT STONYHURST

Six sixth-form students have won places at Oxford and Cambridge this year. Oxford offers have been awarded to Allamin Daggash (to study Engineering at St Edmund’s College), Haruki Kawano (for Mathematics at Lincoln College), Eleanor McClelland (to read Arabic and Islamic Studies at Pembroke College) and Rebecca Powell (Chinese at Hertford College). Destined for Cambridge are John Messent, the Head Boy, who has a place at Gonville and Caius to read History, and Pawel Rzemieniecki, who has an organ scholarship at Fitzwilliam College and will read Mathematics.

“The competition for a place at Oxford or Cambridge is tougher every year”, said Mr Andrew Johnson, Headmaster. “I am immensely proud of our successful candidates, and of Stonyhurst’s record at Oxbridge entry. This is now the third year in a row in which we have had at least five conditional offers.”

“The interviews were really very challenging” said Rebecca. “As well as closely examining some of the things I’d written on my personal statement, they asked complex, thought-provoking questions; for example, ‘what are the problems involved in making ancient Chinese philosophy accessible to the man in the street?’”. John had three interviews: “They really tested my ability to engage with historical questions. The interview process is largely concerned with how you think things through.”

Our photograph shows, from left to right: John Messent, Rebecca Powell, Mr Andrew Johnson the Headmaster, Pawel Rzemieniecki. Haruki Kawano and Allamin Daggash.

Kevin Barrett OS Captains England Rugby Sevens team

Kevin Barrett OS is England’s captain for the Emirates Airline IRB Sevens. Kevin Barrett, who left Stonyhurst in 1998 and is currently with Saracens, was part of the Stonyhurst Sevens squad which won The National Rosslyn Park Schoolboy Sevens in 1997. Last season, he helped England to win the cup trophies at the Wellington and London legs of the IRB Sevens World Series.
There are 8 tournaments in the Emirates Airline IRB Sevens series and 2 were played last month, in Dubai and South Africa.
“I am really excited to be captain. Ben Ryan gave me the news and I feel very privileged but we have lots of leaders in the team, like Ben Gollings, Chris Cracknell, Isoa Damudamu and James Rodwell so I’m hoping I can call on all of them.” said Barrett. “We benefitted from going out a bit earlier this year and had some great training sessions. I’ve been playing sevens for a while now but to go out as captain is always a proud moment and I’m really enjoying it.”
In South Africa, England won their pool, beating Argentina, Scotland and Tunisia. They then lost 19-22 to New Zealand which put them in the Plate semi-final where they beat Australia 24-5 before winning the Plate beating South Africa 21-7.
In Dubai, England again won their pool, beating Kenya, Russia and the USA. They then beat Argentina 17-12 in the Cup quarter final, before losing the semi-final 19-28 to Samoa. The remaining 6 tournaments will take place in New Zealand, USA, Australia, Kong Kong, England and Scotland. Each tournament carries a points system and overall, England currently lie third on 28 points behind Fiji (36) and New Zealand (48).

For more information, go to http://www.irb.com/irbsevens/schedule.html

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT…

A nanny state may well be a source of anger for many parents, but there’s only one thing that gets the goat of the kids from a leading Fylde Coast independent school, and that’s the plight of less fortunate children in Africa…

The infants of Rossall School, Fleetwood proved that the solution is child’s play, so for two weeks they staged their own tuck shop during morning break and raised enough money to ensure that a number of villagers and children in a remote African region can get their own goat!

As part of the ‘Oxfam Unwrapped’ scheme the children have generated enough funds for Oxfam to buy a goat couple, together with two animal homes and veterinary care, which will be donated to an African village to be chosen by the charity. The goats will provide the community with a source of milk and the potential to begin a breeding programme.

To help the children appreciate what their efforts will mean, a number of Rossall pupils were given a first hand experience of feeding goats on an excursion to nearby Farmer Parr’s Animal World, which has a number of breeds, including the African Pygmy variety similar to those to be donated through Oxfam. The children were delighted with their chance to hand-feed the goats and wasted no time in getting in amongst the straw bales to make some new friends.

Head of Rossall Infants, Caroline Jordin believes the experience will help the children to appreciate the tangible benefits of their fund raising. She said: “Having a place like Farmer Parr’s so close to the school is a great way of educating our pupils. And, by allowing them to have close contact with the animals they’re gaining a real sense of what they’ve achieved, so much so that they’re all asking to do more fund raising to buy more goats for Oxfam, so it’s been a great success in a number of ways.”

Five-year-old pupil, Fred Boardman of Thornton was delighted with the chance to feed the goats. He said “They licked my hands and tried to chew my ear, but I wasn’t frightened, it just tickled.”

The school plans more fund raising efforts in 2010 for local and international causes. Added Caroline Jordin: “Despite their tender ages, our infants have gained great social awareness from their fund raising efforts and it will help to give them an understanding of the world as they get older, so in a way they’re also benefiting greatly, whilst helping people who really need it.”

Photo: The Kids at play are … from left – Charley Clarke, Georgia Oldham, Isaac Wiggans (all aged 6) and five-year-old Fred Boardman. All live in Thornton Cleveleys.

Maths triumph at Stonyhurst

For the second year running, the Stonyhurst College Senior Mathematics Team has won the regional final of the UK Maths Challenge, held in Lancaster recently. They are now through to the final in London in February.

Beating Rossall School into second place, the team comprised of Pawel Rzemieniecki (from Poland), Haruki Kawano (from Japan), Naomi Jackson (from Burnley), all sixth-formers, and Julian Au Yeung, (from Hong Kong) who is only 15. Pawel scored the highest ever mark achieved by a Stonyhurst pupil in the UK Maths Challenge, and took the first paper in the British Maths Olympiad last month; he recently gained a place at Cambridge to read Mathematics, having already achieved A* grades in Maths and Further Maths at A2. Haruki has an A* in A2 Maths, and an A in A/S Further Maths and has just gained a place to read Mathematics at Oxford.

“I’m delighted with our team’s result” said Mr David Rawkins, Head of Mathematics. They got 170 points out of a possible 192 and deserved this success after training religiously every week!”

Adaobi wins ‘Best Chairperson’ award

Adaobi Anah from Stonyhurst College won ‘Best Chairperson’ in the Business and Professional Women’s Association Public Speaking Competition last week, in Billington, Lancashire. Adaobi (aged 17, from Nigeria) was in a team who addressed the subject of the English Language and how we use or misuse it, and was awarded a gavel and a gift token. ‘As Chairperson I had to open the event, introduce myself and the speakers, take questions and round everything up,’ said Adaobi. ‘It was great fun and a valuable experience.’

Our photograph shows Adaobi with her gavel prize!

Stonyhurst stages Sweeney Todd musical

Stonyhurst College’s major production this year was Sweeney Todd, the award-winning musical thriller by Stephen Sondheim. David Mann (17, from Hurst Green) was a darkly menacing ‘Demon Barber of Fleet Street’, who returns to London after 15 years’ transportation on false charges and vows revenge. His grisly throat-cutting activities were lightened by a hilarious Mrs Lovett, brilliantly played by Natalie Crouch (17, from Hurst Green) and the entire cast acted and sang with skill and energy. An excellent set, lighting and costumes all created a macabre corner of Victorian England. The show’s Director, Miss Johanna Egar, Head of Theatre Studies at Stonyhurst said, “They’ve all worked very hard and I’m very proud of them all.”

SUCCESS IN THE PALM OF THEIR HANDS

Newly crowned world heavyweight boxing champion, David Haye may have made a decent fist of his assault on the world title by beating Russian giant, Nikolai Valuev, but nearer to home several pupils at one of the region’s leading independent schools have also had a hand in a major sporting triumph that sees a national title coming to the North West for the first time.

Thankfully there wasn’t a broken hand in sight as pupils from Rossall School, Fleetwood rose to the top of the pile in the National Fives Championships, taking the Open Competition title and also winning the U-15 trophy, with impressive victories over some of the most competitive schools in the one of the country’s oldest sports.

Over 100 schools entered this year’s event and in the Open competition, the Rossall pairing of Christopher Metcalfe, 17, and Luke Williams, 14, went through all stages unbeaten, winning their group and dropping only five points before a quarter final victory against Oundle School 1, followed by a comfortable win against St Olave’s 3 of London in the semis. In the final, Metcalfe and Williams met last year’s champions, St Olave’s 1, running out 15-7 winners, following some excellent points-winning shots from both boys. Their victory sees the trophy coming to Rossall for the first time in the school’s history.

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In the U-15 national competition, Luke Williams featured again, this time paired with partner, Jack Morrison, 15. Their final opponents were St Olave’s U-15 first team who made a tight match of it before some neat, cross-court shots from Williams enabled Rossall to claim a 15-11 victory and a second piece of silverware.

In a busy competition for Williams, he also reached the final of the national U-15 singles, losing narrowly to first seed, Weston, of Wolverhampton Grammar School, 15-13. Metcalfe also came close in the Open singles, falling 15-12 at the semi final stage to eventual winner, Hewlett of St Olave’s.

In the U-13 age category, Rossall’s Tom Morrison and Harry Andrews, both 12, reached the final of the plate competition, showing a promising future for the ancient sport of Fives on the Fylde Coast.

School Fives coach; Tom Root believes that Rossall’s emergence as a national force is down to the enhanced facilities at the School, where eight fully covered courts have been refurbished, giving the school the largest facility of its kind in Britain.

Says Root: “Fives is a fantastic sport, which for the uninitiated is similar to squash, with shots being played with the hand rather than with racquets. Along with its close companion, Handball, it’s becoming increasingly popular amongst school children in both independent and state schools, so much so that we plan to run coaching courses here at school.”

Rossall Fives, which is an amalgam of Eton and Winchester Fives, has been played at the school since Victorian times and is a great spectator sport as well as fiercely competitive and demanding. Now, with more doubles and singles players donning the special padded gloves and taking to the school’s refurbished courts it is conceivable that the Rossall will be a regular challenger for the national title.
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Added Root: “To win in one national age group is good, but to win in two and have finalists in the singles and junior pairs this year is testament to the potential here at Rossall for years to come. Our next goal will be the world championships, which will be an even bigger test for our boys, but one they’ll relish, as nothing seems to faze them, which is why we’ve won our first titles so convincingly. Our progression is great for the school and I hope it will help to inspire more children from across Wyre and Fylde to consider playing Fives.”

Photo: Rossall School teacher and Fives coach Tom Root, proudly displays the national trophies watched by the school’s ‘fantastic fives’ champions, left to right: Luke Williams, Christopher Metcalfe and Jack Morrison.

£100,000 BOARDING INVESTMENT AT FLEETWOOD SCHOOL

A £100,000 investment at one of the region’s top independent schools has resulted in new facilities for boarders and day pupils and has been completed as another phase of the five year development programme of the school’s Fleetwood campus facilities.

Co-educational Rossall School has upgraded another of its Grade 2 listed buildings to provide improved study areas and accommodation for boarders and day pupils in the School’s ‘Spread Eagle’ house. The refurbishment follows recent investments in other areas of the school, totalling £1.5 million in the last two years, all with an aim to restore many of Rossall’s listed buildings to their former glory. Three houses have been modernised in the period, bringing the accommodation and student study facilities up to hotel standards of comfort, whilst retaining the character of the buildings and the unique atmosphere of the campus.

In the latest phase, six single and occupancy bedsits have been created, together with a number of dormitories of two to three occupancy and improved day/ prep rooms for around 20 pupils. As part of the project, upgraded fire systems, and wiring systems for the school’s new computer network have been installed. Custom-made furniture and co-ordinated furnishings have completed the interior works, whilst external refurbishment has involved work on stone transoms and mullions in compliance with Grade 2 specifications. The buildings, dating back to the mid-19th Century, are also undergoing re-pointing: a major component of any work at Rossall where the school’s coastal plot bears the brunt of weather fronts from the Irish Sea.

The latest project has been completed in two months and on budget. Commenting, Rossall’s Facilities Manager, Paul King said: “With 160 acres and so many listed buildings on campus our refurbishment programme is a little like that of the Forth Bridge and our proximity to the sea means that the elements play their part in ensuring that it’s a constant programme. But this current development plan is not simply about maintaining our building stock, because we’re refurbishing our accommodation, house prep and study areas to a very high standard and the changes have been warmly welcomed by our students, both overseas and local. The work is part of a much wider programme of improvements covering, academic, leisure and boarding facilities on campus to ensure that we provide an educational experience of the highest standard possible.”

REGIONAL FIRST FOR LANCASHIRE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

A top Fylde Coast school has become the first independent school in the North of England to gain authorization to teach the prestigious International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme to infant and junior school pupils, following an inspection and evaluation carried out by the International Baccalaureate Organization.

The authorization of co-educational, Rossall Junior, Infant and Nursery School in Fleetwood follows a two-year introductory period for the Primary Years’ Programme, during which the progress of both the school and its pupils have been carefully monitored by the IBO. A visit by inspectors and a rigorous inspection procedure have determined that Rossall should join the elite group of UK schools with official IB PYP status.

Rossall received several commendations from the IBO inspectors for its provision of the International Baccalaureate curriculum, for the quality and continuous development of its staff and for its work in promoting awareness of the Primary Years’ Programme in the wider community. The pupils also came in for praise from inspectors for their understanding of the programme and its aims, and for the marked progress they had made in two years.

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme provides an international curriculum to meet the needs of young learners between the ages of three and eleven. Its aim is to encourage children to be inquirers and communicators and also to be reflective and open-minded. In return, the programme helps even the youngest children to develop skills of research and self-management and also helps them to gain in confidence.

Following the first two year period of teaching the PYP, Rossall parents have come out solidly in favour of the curriculum. Many have commented about their children’s improved abilities and learning skills and have praised the school for its introduction.

Commenting on the findings of the inspection report, Rossall’s Head of Junior School, Simon James said: “The IBO was delighted with our progress and I’m proud that we are the only independent school in the Region and one of only a handful across the UK authorized to teach the Programme. It is truly a curriculum for tomorrow’s child and our children here are developing remarkably well within its framework. The school inspectors recognized that and have praised Rossall for the way in which the PYP has been introduced and for the levels of pastoral care received by pupils during their formative years, which has provided the vital support to enable the children to get the most from their learning experience.

“Our children here are thriving on many levels as a result of the programme and they’re acquiring life-long learning skills, whilst also displaying confidence and maturity beyond their years, and these qualities are directly attributable to the PYP.”

SENIOR APPOINTMENTS AT FYLDE INDEPENDENT

One of the region’s oldest independent schools has bolstered its senior management team with two key appointments.

Rossall School, Fleetwood has appointed Anton Maree, 44, as Deputy Headmaster, the post vacated by Fergus Livingstone, who has moved to Lord Wandsworth College in Hampshire to become Headmaster.

Anton joins Rossall following seventeen years at King William’s College, Isle of Man, a senior boarding school, where for the last eight years he held the post of Head of Boarding. He joined the school in 1992 from Sandringham High School, Johannesburg and was a boarding house master, prior to his promotion to Head of Boarding.

Whilst in South Africa, Anton completed his two years national service with the South African Defence Force, where he rose to the rank of full lieutenant. He served with the SADF in South West Africa and was one of the last of his country’s forces to work with troops of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group prior to the independence of Namibia in 1989.

Born in Grahamstown in South Africa’s Eastern Cape region, Anton was educated at Queen’s College Boy’s High School, Queenstown, before attending Rhodes University in Grahamstown, where he gained a BA in English and History and was the University’s resident disc jockey. He is married to Alison and the couple have two children, Amberly, 14, and Angus, 12. The family will live on campus at the 165 -year-old Fleetwood boarding and day school.

The second key appointment is that of Gillian Pryor, 36, the former Sherborne School, Head of Maths who has joined Rossall as Director of Studies. Prior to her four years at Sherborne in Dorset, Gillian spent eight years at King’s Bruton School, Somerset, as a maths teacher and latterly as Head of Maths.

In 1994 Gillian graduated from Durham University with a BSc in Mathematics. She is a native of Rotherham in South Yorkshire and is married to husband, Mark, who has also joined Rossall as a maths teacher. She lists running and sailing as two of her favourite pursuits, and following the successful completion of this year’s ‘Race for Life’ in aid of Cancer Research UK plans to run in regional events supporting charities in the coming year.

Commenting on the appointments, Rossall School’s Headmaster, Dr Stephen Winkley said: “In Anton and Gillian we have two people with excellent credentials and a real passion for quality education. They will both play a pivotal role in the development of the School in the coming years as we improve further our academic provision and expand our boarding capabilities to cope with increased numbers of pupils wishing to board.

“Our recruitment figures for boarding are increasing year on year with UK and overseas boarders joining in healthy numbers, which augers well for the school, despite the gloomy global economic picture. The addition of two such experienced figures at this time will help us to achieve our goals as quickly as possible.”